Feeling of Alienation (7)

The capital returned after a month.

Nothing much had changed since I left, but it felt a little unfamiliar.

The overall atmosphere is subdued and gloomy.

It was a far cry from the vitality I felt when I first arrived in the capital.

“Everyone doesn’t look good…”

“As the war continues, public sentiment is worsening. Crimes are also increasing recently.”

The number of vagabonds on the streets has increased significantly.

The bigger problem is that they are flocking around and damaging the atmosphere of the streets.

Perhaps because of that, it seemed like there were more guards patrolling than before.

Naturally, the guards didn’t look good either.

Increasingly high taxes and prices.

The longer the war lasts, the more it is the ordinary people who suffer the most.

‘If the war continues for a long time, the situation will not get better.’

There is one more reason to hurry to the ending.

“Everyone, let’s go quickly. “The man is waiting.”

On the other hand, Julia hurried her steps with a relaxed smile.

Likewise, Catalina was yawning and looking around the street.

While returning to the capital, Catalina struggled with boredom.

Every day, he would argue with Erina about being bored or clinging to me.

Of course, Erina didn’t respond, but Catalina was persistent.

Perhaps the person who treats Erina most comfortably is Catalina.

“You too, have a drink and relieve some stress. “Don’t just frown all the time.”

“…”

Erina kept her mouth shut and didn’t even respond.

Catalina paid no heed and continued speaking.

With all my colleagues keeping their distance, Catalina is the only one who approaches her.

Erina wanted to talk, but she ended up keeping her mouth shut.

“Erina.”

“Yes. “I’m listening.”

When I called her name for the first time in a long time, the answer came out right away.

His expression was gloomy, but his eyes looking at me were shining.

She still loved me, but she was depressed about what had happened in the past.

When I motioned for it to come closer, it ran quickly and closed to me.

“…Master.”

“Kayla. It’s okay.”

Tyria was also looking at her with anxious eyes, but there was no need to worry.

When he returned to my arms after about three days, he started rubbing his face on my arm.

And, like me, my empty heart was being filled.

Have I been affected by being with Erina all this time?

I was feeling empty while she was gone.

I felt sorry for Kayla and others.

There was a sense of stability in my heart that only Erina could give me.

“Erina. “Can’t we treat others kindly?”

“…”

Erina immediately closes her mouth.

Still, no one could break his stubbornness.

I had to change my attitude of not caring at all about people other than myself.

All of my colleagues stayed away from Erina, but at least there was Catalina.

At the very least, he had to change his attitude of ignoring people who pay attention to him.

At least until Catalina turns her back.

“He looks over 20 years old, but he acts like a child.”

Catalina clicked her tongue and criticized Erina.

In fact, Erina just held onto my arm as if she couldn’t hear me.

“It really hasn’t changed. “That’s an obsession.”

“Boredom will come someday. We might not even make eye contact later.”

Meanwhile, Julia and Catalina were blaming us.

Of course, I didn’t feel bad since it was meant as a joke.

We were able to reach the restaurant while talking like that.

When we opened the door and entered the store, a familiar person was waiting for us.

“Ah. I’m here. “It’s been a while.”

“Yes. “It’s been a while.”

After exchanging dry greetings, we sat down at the table in the center.

Then the food came out one after another and the table filled up.

It looks like they probably prepared food in advance before we arrived.

“If there is something on the menu you want to eat, let me know. I’ll do it right away. And drink alcohol in moderation.”

As soon as we sat down and started eating, the atmosphere quickly heated up.

Catalina and Julia started drinking and having a drinking party, and Malcolm was caught in the middle of it and had a hard time.

Kayla, Tyria, and Celica sat together and started talking happily.

And Erina was quietly munching on her food and concentrating on her meal.

In the meantime, he was secretly watching me out of the corner of his eye.

“Erina. Is it delicious?”

“Yes. It’s worth eating.”

When I spoke to him, the corners of his mouth immediately rose as if he was in a better mood.

Meanwhile, Kayla quietly approached me and offered me a drink.

“My lord. I will follow you.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

When I held out the glass, Kayla politely poured the drink.

Likewise, he was handed a bottle of alcohol and poured alcohol into Kayla’s glass.

“Ruler. Let’s toast.”

“Yes. My lord. Thank you for your hard work so far.”

I got up from my seat, shared a glass with Kayla, and walked around the table to exchange a toast.

Everyone was enjoying the food and chatting with happy expressions.

But there was still one person who couldn’t smile.

“Erina. Would you like some juice?”

“No…”

Erina slowly shakes her head.

Then he seemed to be thinking about something and suddenly picked up his empty glass.

Then he holds out a glass of wine to me with both hands.

“I want to drink too.”

“…Are you going to be okay?”

“Yes. “I just want to have one drink.”

Honestly, I wanted to stop him.

I have never seen Erina drinking.

I didn’t know how strong I was at drinking, so I didn’t know what would happen if I got drunk.

But maybe one drink would be okay.

As Erina had hoped, I picked up the bottle and poured a little.

“Erina. “Drink just a little.”

Before I could finish speaking, Erina poured a drink into her mouth in one go.

Then her eyes opened wide and her expression changed drastically.

I coughed slightly and my face immediately turned red.

No matter how small the amount was, he must have been surprised because he only drank half a glass of wine in one shot.

I quickly poured water into a cup and handed it to Erina, who quickly drank the water and then sighed heavily.

“Huh…”

The strangely excited sigh drew attention from all around.

Before she knew it, Erina’s face turned bright red and her pupils became dilated.

She was biting the corner of her mouth as if she wanted to say something.

He suddenly got up from his seat and moved to the seat next to me.

“Erina. Are you okay… !?”

Before I could finish speaking, Erina came up to me and brought her lips to mine.

Her both hands grabbed my head and pulled me.

We were forced to kiss.

A kiss for the first time in a very long time.

Her mouth was filled with the scent of alcohol.

“Calm down for a moment.”

“…”

Erina continues kissing without saying anything.

Even if I wanted to drop her, I couldn’t escape her strong grip.

Kayla, who was worse off, stood up and tried to stop Erina.

“Let’s stop now.”

“…”

Erina silently glared at Kayla, but Kayla did not back down and continued speaking.

Even though Kayla must have been scared, she came forward for me.

Then Erina picked up a water bottle.

“Tsk… !”

Didn’t he suddenly sprinkle water on Kayla?

It happened so quickly before I could stop it.

While Kayla is embarrassed, her clothes are soaked.

Erina hugged me tightly and started acting cute.

“Seohyun, I just need you…”

“Erina. “Stay away for a moment.”

“Why are you the only one who hates me? Am I not that trustworthy… ? ?”

Slowly, even my tongue became twisted, and my speech began to become slurred.

It looks like he got drunk after only half a glass of wine.

I shouldn’t have given Erina alcohol, but it was already too late.

Meanwhile, Kayla seemed angry and tried to get Erina away from me.

Naturally, no one could stop Erina’s power.

Meanwhile, Kayla was splashed with water and was drenched.

I wanted to help her, but I couldn’t do anything while I was being held captive by Erina.

Catalina, seeing that, burst into laughter.

“What. Are you really drunk from half a glass of wine? “You also had a weak point.”

Erina didn’t pay attention to Catalina’s words and snuggled into my arms.

Of course, the expressions on her colleagues’ faces were not good, but there was no one who could stop her.

That’s when the atmosphere became chaotic. Celica stood up quietly and quietly.

“Seohyun. Wouldn’t it be better to go back slowly?”

“Okay. Let’s wake up early today.”

“I’m starting to worry about the kids too. “I want to go back to the mansion.”

I didn’t know what Erina would do if I left her like this.

I wanted to enjoy a leisurely meal and drink for the first time in a while.

I decided to leave it at that for today and get up quickly.

Meanwhile, Tyria seemed to have finished eating, so she stood up.

“What. Are you going already?”

“Okay. “Because Erina is in this state too.”

I should quickly go back to the mansion and get some sleep, so it will calm down.

Even now, he was trying his best to cling to me and kiss me.

Julia and Catalina grabbed me as if they were disappointed, but there was nothing they could do.

“Then see you later.”

After saying my final goodbyes, I left the restaurant and went out onto the street.

Then Erina suddenly closed to my back.

As she jumped up and down on my back, I had no choice but to give her a piggyback ride.

“I’ve wanted to ride on a piggyback for a long time. “I always did it for that nun…”

Have you already forgotten the warning I told you?

Still, since I was drunk, I decided to just look at it this time.

“Haaa…”

Erina let out a hot sigh as if she was in a good mood.

Suddenly, he lightly strangled my neck or licked my ear.

“…”

My colleagues following me had eyes full of dissatisfaction and worry.

Just this time, I decided to do whatever Erina wanted.

Because I was the one who allowed her to drink in the first place.